Jingle Bells and World AIDS Day, but not in that order

First, something near and dear to my heart: World AIDS Day.  1 December is World AIDS Day (and my cousin's birthday - Happy Birthday Erika!!).  HIV is probably closer than you think - someone you know may very well be infected or affected by the disease.  So, on this very important day - remember these two important tips:

1) GET TESTED!!  If you don't know your HIV status, it's important to go get tested.  I would recommend getting a test at least once a year.  Hubs and I get tested every year - even though we're married and monogomous.  It's just something I feel very strongly about.  If you haven't been tested recently and would like to, I put up a special widget on my blog - just type in your zip code and the closest places will come up.  I actually just get tested at my yearly phycical or gyn appointment - that works fine too.  However, if you don't have insurance the local health department or Planned Parenthood usually have free or low-priced anonymous testing.

2) WEAR A CONDOM!!!  I can't stress this enough.  Condoms save lives - there is NO excuse for not wearing a condom if you have various partners or a partner with other partners.  Although it's hard, I even recommend condoms for married couples if you can't trust your husband absolutely.  In reality, things happen.  Working in HIV I know things happen a lot more than people think they do and it's scary.  Married women are getting HIV along with older adults - Viagra is a blessing and a curse.

Anyway, don't want to overload my blog with AIDS information, but I feel like it's important to pass this info on.  Not everyone is comfortable talking about HIV and AIDS or sex for that matter but it's a conversation we should all be having more often.  If you want more information go to http://www.aids.gov/ - there is a ton of info on their site.  Or just contact me - I love to share health info with other people!

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And now onto Jingle Bells.




via google images

I can't emphasize enough how happy Christmas music makes me!!  As I pop into my car so very early in the morning, Christmas music fills my car and makes me instantly happy.  I play it in my car, all day at work, and in the house (when the TV's not on).  I just can't get enough of it!

Talking about Christmas, my sister took hubs shopping for my Christmas gifts.  I made a nice list to avoid getting weird gifts that I don't want.  I love, love, love my hubs but he is not a great gift giver.  One day I'll take a photo of the first Valentine's Day present he bought me - priceless!  After that I just thought it was a better idea to give exact ideas rather than leave it up to his ideas.

Also, tomorrow is our office holiday lunch!  Whoopie am I excited!!!!  It's also the first night of Hanukkah - so ...

Happy Hanukkah

and

World AIDS Day

and

First Day of December!!!